Your breastmilk is perfectly designed to help your baby grow and develop. Breastmilk has ingredients like antibodies, hormones and stem cells to help protect your baby now, and in the future. Find out more about all the benefits for you and baby on our reasons to breastfeed page.

Cuddles and skin-to-skin will help to encourage your milk making hormones to flow. You will need a good fitting bra to support you. Breast pads can help to collect any milk which may overflow in the first few weeks. You’re welcome to go along to a local breastfeeding drop-in for a chat if you do have any questions. Find out more about what you might need on our what do I need to breastfeed page.

Breastfeeding shouldn’t leave you feeling sore. In the early days, you might feel a bit of discomfort while you and your baby are learning to breastfeed but this should go away.

A latch that isn’t quite right can cause a lot of pain. With the right support with positioning and attaching from a local drop-in or health professional, you should find feeding much more comfortable. Find out more at about why breastfeeding might be hurting on our why I’m finding it painful page.

You’re welcome to go along to a local breastfeeding drop-in for a chat if you do have any questions.

We work with local Midwifery Teams, Health Visiting Teams, and peer supporters to make sure we can provide the right support for you across Kent. Visit our looking for support page for details of help near you.

We are here to support everyone in reaching their breastfeeding or chestfeeding goals regardless of gender identity. You can find more support for trans and non-binary parents from La Leche League and Lactation Network or visit our looking for support page for details of groups near you.